Personal Injury Arising From Unintended Acceleration Crashes

Nationwide, as well as here in Maryland, car and truck accidents happen for any number of reasons. While most of the automobile and commercial trucking collisions that injure people in and around cities such as Baltimore, Gaithersburg, and the District of Columbia occur because of driver error, there is a small percentage that can be attributed to a defect in a part or component in a passenger vehicle or commercial truck.

As professional trial attorneys, the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, is dedicated to assisting victims of traffic-related injury accidents. Whether a person is seriously hurt while driving or riding in a car, minivan, pickup truck, SUV or motorcycle, our lawyers are prepared to discuss the details of the case and to explain the next course of action, which may include filing an injury claim against the responsible party or parties.

From passenger cars and light trucks to RVs and commercial tractor-trailer rigs, a single defective automotive component can result in a tragic roadway accident that could result in serious, costly and sometimes fatal bodily injuries. Car, truck and motorcycle accidents, whether they happen in-town, on a rural route, at high speeds on the interstate, or during a commute to work or school can send victims to the hospital for days, weeks, or even months.

At Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, we have the litigation skills and courtroom experience to handle a wide range of traffic-related personal injury lawsuits, as well as wrongful death claims against negligent parties. As part of training, we are knowledgeable in the area of products liability lawsuits, which can arise when a car or truck accident is caused or made worse by a failed vehicle component or part.

As Baltimore auto accident attorneys, we understand how a faulty part or failed critical component can quickly lead to a serious traffic collision. In situations where the driver or passengers are severely injured, not only do we work hard to recover medical-related costs and physical rehabilitation expenses, we also include any damages based on the victim’s inability to go back to work following the crash.

A products liability case, as it applies to automobile-related injuries, looks at the source or trigger of the personal injury accident. Although a poorly designed tire or incorrectly manufactured steering component may be easy to identify as the reason behind a car or truck accident, other types of equipment failure may require in-depth research and investigation. Sudden or unintended vehicle acceleration can be found under this heading.

Over the years, quite a few people have been injured and killed as a result of unintended acceleration. The German auto company, Audi, is a name that may forever be associated with the term “sudden acceleration” from complaints back in the 1980s. More recently, Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Kia and Hyundai, among others, have all had their turn under the microscope of automotive safety experts following reports of vehicles racing out of control or not responding the driver’s braking inputs.

In the U.S., the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is the arm of the government charged with the responsibility for issuing and enforcing auto-related safety standards. As part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), the NHTSA also investigates alleged defects in passenger vehicles and related automotive equipment. Complaints of sudden or unintentional acceleration have often come to the attention of the NHTSA, which then takes the appropriate action.

Instances of unintended acceleration can take place either when a vehicle is stationary or when it is running along on a roadway. When this extraordinary event takes place, drivers have reported that they are unable to stop the vehicle or even slow it down. When accelerating from a stationary position, an out-of-control vehicle may strike a bystander, building or another car, which can cause severe injury to pedestrians and sometimes significant property damage.

In cases of unintended acceleration occurring while a car or truck is traveling along a highway or city street, and depending on the speed of the vehicle, an accident is possible in which the driver and passengers of the accelerating vehicle may be hurt, as well as those in any vehicles which may be struck by the out-of-control car. Every year, out-of-control vehicles are the source of numerous injury accidents involving pedestrians, vehicle occupants and other innocent victims.

The legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen has the training and trial experience to handle this and other kinds of products liability injury cases. Over the years, numerous instances of unintended and sudden vehicle acceleration have resulted for various reasons, including faulty gas pedals, ECU problems, defective cruise control systems, electrical faults, and even incorrectly designed floor mats. While the actual causes of unintended acceleration can be rather difficult to prove, the effects are real and the injuries costly and, many times, tragic.

When a motor vehicle suddenly accelerates without notice or intent by the driver, the results can be catastrophic. Drivers have complained that under these circumstances the brake pedal either did not function as expected or that the motorist was simply unable to exert sufficient force on the brakes to halt the vehicle’s progress. Even the use of the vehicle’s emergency or parking brake has been said to be ineffective against the power of a fully-accelerating car or truck.

The extent of unintended acceleration problems and complaints, at least for Japanese manufacturer, Toyota, led to nearly eight million recalled vehicles and an agreement by the auto maker to pay nearly $50 million in civil penalties to the owners of affected vehicles. If you or someone you love has been badly hurt as a result of a possible unintended acceleration episode, we urge you to contact a qualified personal injury lawyer skilled in litigating auto accident lawsuits.

Understanding personal injury law as we do, the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen make every effort to prepare each client’s case with the full intent of going to trial. Our goal is to help victims of auto-related injury accidents recover the damages due them under the law. Because injuries associated with any serious car, truck or motorcycle accident can include soft-tissue injuries, simple and compound bone fractures, torn ligaments, and even closed-head trauma or spinal cord damage, recovering damages for medical-related expenses is of primary concern.

Past, current and future medical and rehab costs, as well as any damages due to lost wages or permanent disability, are also factored into each of our client’s injury lawsuits. We firmly believe that when an innocent victim is severely injured and hospitalized through no fault of his own, there is no reason why that person should have to bear the full cost of his medical care. The negligent driver or other responsible party, such as a vehicle manufacturer, must be held accountable for their actions or inaction.

At the law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, we know that a well-prepared lawsuit can make all the difference in an auto or trucking-related personal injury case or wrongful death claim. Whether you or a family member has been seriously hurt as a result of a defective vehicle part or because of the negligent actions of another motorist, we recommend that you contact a qualified personal injury attorney with experience in traffic-related accident lawsuits. Our auto and commercial trucking injury accident lawyers are prepared to listen and help you understand your rights as a victim of a serious automobile or commercial trucking crash. Please call us toll-free at (800) 654-1949, or email either Jack Lebowitz or Vadim Mzhen to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

Throughout the process [of the motor vehicle collision case] you were available, responsive and up front. You were available for my questions, and my need for reassurance, and when the opportunity arose to better the outcome of my case, you did not shy away from the extra work. You have proven yourself to be an honest, realistic and caring advocate for the little guy in need. I will refer your firm to any who may be in similar need. John C.

★★★★★

I can't thank you enough for your efforts and dedication to resolving my case. I also want to thank you for your consistent professional manner, touched with that extra personal care that I sensed whenever we communicated. . . . You are a wonderful person and I wish you continued success. Again, thanks for everything. Hallie W.

★★★★★

I am proud to have had Lebowitz & Mzhen represent me in an automobile personal injury case I was involved with. Not only did they come through with a settlement worth far more than I thought possible, the entire office was always friendly, knowledgeable, and ready to answer any questions I had. Should an incident like this occur again, I will not hesitate to contact Lebowitz & Mzhen for their counsel, advice and representation, and I would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone seeking honest and effective attorneys. Mark B.

While all of the cases identified in the Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers website under Our Successes are cases that Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers has handled for its clients, Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers does not represent any of the clients in cases mentioned in our blog. Our law firm is reporting on current events that will likely be of interest to our readers. The content provided is not intended as legal advice.

Our past results are not a guarantee of future results, and they should not be used to predict an outcome in any future case or matter. The merits of each case must be determined based upon the facts and the applicable law of each particular case. Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers is a law firm with lawyers licensed to practice law in the State of Maryland, and a lawyer licensed to practice law in Washington, D.C.

We serve the entire state of Maryland, including the following localities: Baltimore City and Baltimore County, including Towson, Reisterstown, Randallstown, Hunt Valley, Catonsville, Dundalk, White Marsh, and Owings Mills; Anne Arundel County, including Annapolis and Glen Burnie; Prince George's County, including Upper Marlboro, Hyattsville, and Bowie; Carroll County, including Westminster and Eldersburg; Montgomery County, including Rockville, Germantown, and Bethesda; Frederick County, including the city of Frederick; Wicomico County, including Salisbury; and Charles and Calvert Counties. We also serve Washington, D.C.